Control apparatus for a pump device



July 19, 1960 J. w. SMITH ETAL CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A PUMP DEVICE 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 31, 1957 mEP. 2E tcou tomnm 2 July 19, 1960 YJ. w. SMITH ET AL 2,945,445

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A PUMP DEVICE Filed Dec. 31, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2Main Power Supply Power Supply July 19, 1960 J. w. SMITH ETAL CONTROLAPPARATUS FOR A PUMP DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 31, 1957 CONTROLAPPARATUS FOR A PUMP DEVICE Joseph W. Smith, Tonawanda, and George E.King, Eggertsville, N.Y., assignors to Westinghouse ElectricCorporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania FiledDec. 31, 1957, Ser. No. 706,349

13 Claims. (Cl. 103-41) The present invention relates, in general, tocontrol apparatus for one or more pumps, and more particularly tocontrol apparatus for one or more pumps supplying fluid to a fluidcontainer where the fluid or some condition of that fluid within saidcontainer may be utilized for controlling the operation of said pump orpumps.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved controlapparatus for one or more pump devices supplying fluid wherein the fluidor some condition of that fluid is utilized to provide a control signalfor better controlling the pump or pumps. I

It is another object of the present invention to provide improvedcontrol apparatus for one or more fluid pumps which control apparatus ismore reliable in operation and is more flexible regarding anymodifications or changes to be made in the operation of said pumps.

It is a diflerent object of the present invention to provide improvedcontrol apparatus for one or more fluid supply devices operative with afluid container which apparatus senses one or more predeterminedconditions of the fluid relative to said container for bettercontrolling the operation of said fluid supply devices.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide improvedcontrol apparatus for one or more fluid supply devices operative tosupply fluid to the container member and which apparatus includes one ormore fluid condition sensing devices operative with said container toprovide one or more control signals for better controlling the operationof said fluid supply devices in accordance with a predeterminedselection or scheduling of saidfluid supply devices.

It is a further object to provide improved control apparatus for one ormore fluid supply devices supplying fluid to a fluid container, whichapparatus employs statically operative logic devices to better controlthe loading and operation of said fluid supply devices as a function ofand/or to maintain one or more predetermined operating conditions ofsaid fluid container.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome still more apparent from a study of the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic showing of the control apparatus inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention; and

Figs. 2A and 2B together provide a schematic showing of the controlapparatus in accordance with the present invention, when the bottom ofFig. 2A is connected to the top of Fig. 2B.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a fluid storage member or container operativeto receive fluid from a reservoir 12 through a first pump 14, a secondpump 16 or a third pump 18. The first pump 14 operates through a checkvalve 20 and a second check valve 22 to supply fluid from the reservoir12 to the fluid container 10. A solenoid valve 24 electrically operativeby suitable control appa' ratus 26 is provided to bypass the first pump14, and is operative to provide a fluid path in parallel to the asso-2,945,445 Patented July 19 1960 ciated pump 14 until the solenoid valveis energized to cause it to close, as will be later explained. Thesecond pump 16 is operative to supply fluid through a check valve 28 andthe check valve 22 to the fluid container 10. The third pump 18 isoperative to supply fluid through a check valve 30 and the check valve22 to the fluid container 10. A solenoid valve 32 is connected to bypassthe second pump 16 and is electrically controlled by the controlapparatus 26,as is a solenoid valve 34 connected to bypass the thirdpump 18. A pump control device 36 is provided for continuously operatingeach of the first, second and third pumps during the operation of thecontrol apparatus 26. A low-level valve 38 is controlled by the controlapparatus 26 as will be later explained. The fluid container 10 has itsuppermost region connected through a conduit 40 to a pressurized airsource 42 for controlling the operative pressure within the fluidcontainer 10. The fluid within the fluid container 10 is connectedthrough the low-level valve 38 to a suitable machine device 44, theoperation of which is controlled by the fluid from the fluid container10 with a conduit 46 being connected from the machine device 44 back tothe fluid reservoir 12 for carrying the spent fluid back to thereservoir 12. A plurality of fluid condition sensing devices 48 areoperative with the fluid container 10 for respectively providingsuitable control signals to the control apparatus 26 upon the occurrenceof or in accordance with predetermined fluid conditions relative to thefluid container 10 as will be later explained.

In Figs. 2A and 2B, with the bottom of Fig. 2A and top of Fig. 2B joinedtogether, there is shown the control apparatus 26 of Fig. 1 with asuitable power supply 70 being connected through a pump sequenceselector switch 72 for providing suitable control signals fordetermining the operation sequence of the respective pumps. Morespecifically, when the pump sequence selector switch 72 is in its firstposition, the switch member 7-4 is closed to energize one input of afirst OR device 76, one input of a second OR device 78 and one input ofa third OR device 80. When the pump sequence selector switch is in asecond position, its contactor 82 is closed to energize one input of anAND device 84, one input of an AND device 86 and one input of an ANDdevice 88. When the pump sequence selector switch is in its thirdposition, its contactor 90 is closed to energize one input of an ANDdevice 92, one input of an AND device 94 and one input of an AND device96.

1 device 110, a seventh sensing device 112, an eighth sensing device 114and a ninth sensing device 116. These sensing devices 1% through 116 arediagrammatically shown in Fig. 1. Each of the latter sensing devicesthrough 116 includes a coil, member operative with a soft-iron coreadjacent said coil member, which core is operative to follow the levelof the fluid within the fluid container 10 such that the position of thesoft-iron core corresponds to the level of the fluid within thecontainer 10. Thusly, as the level of the fluid varies within thecontainer 10, the position or" the soft-iron core varies and when it isadjacent one of the coils 100 through 116, it is operative to remove theoutput signal from the control circuit including the coil. Thusly, ingeneral all of the fluid position sensing coils give output controlsignals except the coil within which the coil or soft-iron core orslug-is located.

The main power switch includes a momentary contact 118 which ismomentarily closed when the main power switch is closed to apply acontrol signal through an OR device 120 to turn on the Memory device 122and energize the low-level valve 38 .by energizing the solenoid for thelatter valve 38 to thereby open the lowlevel valve. Thereafter, theswitch member 118 opens to remove the latter-said signal such that thelow-level valve 38 is thereafter controlled by the position of thesoft-iron core relative to the fluid position indicating coils 100through 116. A second con-tact member 126 and a third contact member 123and a fourth contact member 1 30 on the main power switch aremomentarily closed to operate the pump solenoid valves 24, 32 and 34,respectively, for the purpose of testing them. Thereafter, the contactmembers 126, 128 and 130 open to deenergize the respective solenoidvalves. The output control signal from the bridge circuit including thesensing coil 100 is applied to the ON input of a Memory device 132 whichthen provides an output signal to the ON input of a second Memory device134. The latter Memory device 134 is provided with a permanent retentiveelement 135 to make the Memory device 134 function as a permanent memoryas well known to persons skilled in this art. The output signal from theMemory device 134 is applied through an OR device 136 to one input of anAND device 138, the second input of which is energized through the ORdevice 76 previously mentioned. The output signal from the Memory device134 also energizes a second input of the AND device 94 previouslymentioned and a second input of the AND device 88 are previouslymentioned. When both inputs of any of the AND devices are simultaneouslyenergized, that AND device provides an output signal. More specifically,when both inputs of any of the AND devices 138, 84 or 92 are energized,these respective AND devices provide an output signal through the ORdevice 140 for ener- .gizing the control solenoid of the solenoid valve24 operative to close the parallel bypass of the first pump 14.Similarly, when both inputs are simultaneously energized for any of therespective AND devices 86, 94 and 142, an output signal is provided tothe OR device 144 to energize the solenoid valve 32 operative to closethe bypass of the second pump 16. Similarly, when :both inputs aresimultaneously energized for any of the respective AND devices 83, 96and 146, an output signal is provided to the OR device 148 to energizethe solenoid valve 34 for closing the bypassing valve 34 ofthe thirdpump 18.

The output signal from the fluid position indicating coil 106 and itsassociated circuitry is supplied to the OFF control input of the Memorydevice 132 to turn off said Memory device 132 and to provide a controlsignal to the OFF input of the Memory device 134. The latter controlsignal is also applied through the OR device 152 to the OFF controlinput of a Memory device 154 and through the OR device 156 to the OFFcontrol input of a Memory device 158. The control signal from the coilturns off the signal from the Memory device 134 to deenergize one inputof the AND device 138 through the OR device 136 and to deenergize oneinput of the respective AND devices 94 and 88. The control signal fromthe coil 102 is applied to the ON input of a Memory device 160 which, inturn, supplies a control signal to the ON input of a Memory device15410, in turn, provide a control signal to the OR device 162 to oneinput of the AND device 142 to, in turn, provide a control signal to theOR device 144 to energize the solenoid valve 32. The output controlsignal from the Memory device 154 is also applied to one input of theiQSND device 84 and to one input of the AND device The control signalfrom the indicator coil 108 is supplied to the OFF input of the Memorydevice 160 to turn ofi the Memory devices 160 and 154. A control signalfrom the indicator coil 104 is supplied to the ON input of a Memorydevice 164 to, in turn, provide a control signal to the ON input of aMemory device 158 to apply acontrol signal to one input of the ANDdevice 4 146 and to one input of the AND device 86 and to one input ofthe AND device 92. The indicator coil is operative to provide a controlsignal to the OFF input of the Memory device 164 to turn off said Memorydevice 164 and the Memory device 158. The OFF output signal from theMemory device 164 is shown connected through the OR device 156 forturning off the Memory device 158. A control signal from the indicatorcoil 114 is applied to the ON input of a Memory device 166 to, in turn,provide a control signal to the OR device to the ON input or" the Memorydevice 122 for providing an output signal to energize the low-levelvalve 38. A control signal from the indicator coil 112 is applied to theOFF input of the Memory device 166 .to, in tur-tn, provide an OFFcontrol signal to the OR device 168 to the Memory device 122 toterminate the output signal from the Memory device 122. A control signalfrom the indicator coil 116 is applied to the OFF input of a Memorydevice and is applied to the input of a NOT device 172 which latter NOTdevice 172 when the output signal is absent from the indicator coil 116is operative to provide an output signal to the ON input of the Memorydevice 170 to energize the alarm device 50.

In the operation of the control apparatus as shown in Figs. 1 and 2A and2B, and assuming that the fluid container is full of fluid, the floatmember 49 including the soft-iron core or slug will be positioned at thetop of the fluid tube 51 associated with the fluid container 10 andthere will be no output signal from the indicator coil 100. At the sametime, since the core member is adjacent coil 100, there will be outputsignals provided from the remainder of the indicating coils 102 through116. The indicating coil 1116 is therefore providing an output signal tothe OFF control input of the Memory device 132 to provide an OFF controlsignal to the OFF control input of the Memory device 134 and through theOR device 152 to the OFF control input of the Memory device 154 andthrough the OR device 156 to the OFF control input of the Memory device158. The Memory device 122 is in its ON condition providing an outputsignal due to the momentary signal from the main power switch contactor113. The Memory device 170 is oli due to the control signal receivedfrom the indicator coil 116 and applied to the OFF input of the Memorydevice 170. This same control signal is applied'to the input of the NOTdevice 172 which, in turn, does not apply a control signal to the ONinput of the Memory device 170. The pump sequence selector switch cannow be moved into one of its three positions to deter mine the operatingsequence of the illustrated three pumps, and, in addition, the pumpcontrol switches for each of the pumps or the respective pumps desiredto run we closed. In this regard, due to the pump switch con tactors126, 128 and 130, a momentary signal is applied to each of the solenoidvalves 24, 32 and 34, respectively, for the purpose of testing. However,the latter momen tary signals terminate when the pump switch is turnedto the full ON position.

Due to the operation of the machine device 44- shown in Fig. 1, fluid isremoved from the fluid container 10 to cause the fluid level to dropwithin the fluid container 10 and, thusly, the float member 49 operativewith the indicating coils 100 through 116 will change its position tocause the sequential operation of the indicating coil 102 such that itdoes not provide an output signal and then the indicating co'il 104which does not produce an output-signal. This does not change thecondition of any of the logic devices in that the Memory devices'160 and154 responsive to the indicator coil 102 were already in the OFFcondition and the Memory devices 164 and 158 responsive to the signalfrom the indicator coil 104 were already in the'OFF condition.

As the machine device 44 continues to remove fluid from the fluidcontainer 10, the level of the fluid within the fluid container willcontinue to drop until the soft-iron core member is adjacent theindicator coil 106. This removes the output signal from the indicatorcoil 106 which OFF signal is removed from the OFF input of the Memorydevice 132.

In this regard, it should be noted that each of the Memory devices asshown in Figs. 2A and 2B are o'perative such that when only the ONcontrol input is energized by a control signal, that Memory device willprovide an; output signal. However, when only the OFF control input isso energized or both the OFF control input and the ON control input aresimultaneously energized, that Memory device will not provide an outputsignal.

When the output signal is no longer provided by the indicator co'il 106,the output signal from the indicator coil 100 is then operative to turnon the Memory device 132 to, in turn, turn onthe Memory device 134 toprovide an output signal through the OR device 136 to one input of theAND device 138 and to provide an o'utput signal to one input of the ANDdevice 94 and one input of the AND device 88. Now, depending upon theposition of the pump sequence selector switch if, for example, thelatter switch is in its first position, the second input of the ANDdevice 138 will be energized through the OR device 76 to energizethrough the OR device 140 the solenoid valve 24 to bypass the first pump14.

In this regard, when the solenoid valve 24 is so energized, it closes toallow the output fluid from the first pump to then pass through thecheck valve 20 and the second check valve 22 to be supplied to the fluidcontainer 10.

If the pump sequence selector switch is in its second position, then thesecond input of the AND device 88 will be energized to, in turn, providean output signal through the OR device 148 to close the solenoid valve34 and allow the fluid output from the third pump 18 to pass through thecheck valve 30 and the check valve 22 into the fluid container 10.

If, however, the pump sequence selector switch is in its third position,then the second input of the AND device 94 will be energized such thatthe latter AND device 94 provides an output signal through the OR device144 to close the solenoid valve 3'2 and allow the output fluid from thesecond pump 16 to pass through the check valve 28 and the check valve 22into the fluid container 10.

In this regard, it should be noted that the check valves 20, 28 and 30are so operative such that when the solenoid valves 24, 32 and 34 areopen, the o'utput fluid from the respective pumps are bypassed back intothe fluid reservoir. However, when one or anyone of the solenoid valvesis closed, the output fluid from its respective pump then builds up apressure suflicient to pass through the check valve operative with thatparticular pump and said o'utput fluid passes into thefluid container10.

Thusly, the output fluid from one of the pumps as determined by theposition setting of the pump sequence selector switch 72 is supplied tothe fluid container 10 to restore the level of the fluid which may bewater or some other suitable fluid in the fluid container or accumula'to'r 10.

Should the level of the fluid within the fluid container 10 continue tofall due to the operation of the machine device; 44, the float and itsaccompanying soft-iron core passes through the next adjacent indicatorcoil 108 to terminatethe o'utput signal from the latter indicator coil108 'jand to allow the output signal provided by the indicator coil 102to turn on the Memory device 160 to, irr turn, turn on the Memory device154 and provide an output signal through the OR device 162 to one inputof the AND device 142 and similarly, to provide a controLsignal to oneinput of the AND device 84 andto glpginputor the ANDdevice 96. I a

Then as previously described, relative to the operation of the pumpsequence selector switch, when the latter switch is in its firstposition to close the co'ntactor 74, a control signal will be suppliedthrough the OR device 78 to the other input of the AND device 142 toprovide an output signal through the OR device 144 to close the solenoidvalve 32 operative with the second pump 16, However, should the secondcontactor 82 of the pump sequence selector switch 72 be closed, then theAND device 84 will have both of its inputs energized such that it willprovide an output signal through the OR device 140 to close the solenoidvalve 24 associated with the first pump 14. However, if the thirdcontactor of the pump sequence selector switch 72 is closed, then acontrol signal will be supplied to the second input of the AND device 96such that it provides an output signal through the OR device 148 toclose the solenoid valve 34 associated with the third pump 18.

Should the fluid level within the fluid container 10 continue to drop,the soft-iron core member moves into a position adjacent the indicatorcoil to terminate the output signal from the latter indicator coil 110to allow the output signal from the indicator coil 104 to turn on theMemory device 164 to, in turn, turn on the Memory device 158 and providean output signal through the OR device 159 to energize one input of theAND device 146 and to similarly energize one input of the AND device 86and one input of the AND device 92, Then, depending upon the position ofthe pump sequence selector switch, the pumps will be sequentiallyoperated. More specifically, in its first position, the contactor 74will be closed and a control signal will be supplied through the ORdevice 80 to the second input of the AND device 146 such that the latterAND device 146 provides an output signal through the OR device 148 toclose the solenoid valve 34. In its second position with the con: tactor82 closed, a control signalwill be supplied to the second input of theAND device 86 to cause the latter AND device 86 to provide an outputsignal through the OR device 104 to close the solenoid valve 32associated with the second pump 16. In its third position with thecontactor 90 closed, a control signal will be supplied to the secondinput of the AND device 92 to thusly pro vide an output signal throughthe OR device to close the solenoid valve 24 associated with the firstpump 14. A continuing drop in the fluid level within the fluid container10 will bring the soft-iron core member into position adjacent theindicator coil 112 to terminate its output signal and allow the outputsignal from the indicator coil 114 to energize the ON input of theMemory device 166 to provide an output signal through the OR device 120to the ON input of the Memory device 122 to, in turn, provide an outputsignal to open the low-level valve 38. It should be noted that theMemory device 122 was already in its ON condition of operation.

A continuing drop in the level of the fluid within the fluid container10 will move the soft-iron core member into a position adjacent theindicator coil 114 to eifectively remove the signal from the indicatorcoil 114 from the OFF input of the Memory device 166m, in turn, allowthe control signal from the indicator coil 112 to energize .the OFFinput of the Memory device 1166 to turn ott the Memory device 166 to, inturn, through the OR device 168 turn off the Memory device 122 and,

thusly, remove its output signal to thereby deenergize the low-levelvalve 38 and allow it to close since the latter low-level valve 38 isheld open by the output signal from the Memory device 122.

A further drop in the fluid level within the-fluid corn tainer 10 willbring the soft-iron core member into a position adjacent the indicatorcoil 116. This will remove the output signal from the indicator coil 116from the OFF input of the Memory device 170 and will also remove theinput signal from the NOT device 172 to, in turn, allow the latter NOTdevice 172 to provide an output signal to the ON input of the Memorydevice '170 to turn the latter device on to provide an output signal toenergize the alarm device 50. In addition, the output signal from theNOT device 172 is supplied to the OFF input of the Memory device 122 toprovide a second control signal to turn off the Memory device 1 22 andthusly provide a second effort to deenergize the lowlevel valve 38.

As the pumps replace the fluid to the fluid container '10, the fluidlevel begins to rise such that the soft-iron core member moves into aposition adjacent the indicator coil 114 and then into a positionadjacent the indicator coil 112, which removes-the output signal fromthe indicator coil 112 and allows the output signal from the indicatorcoil 114 to turn on the Memory device 166 to, in turn, provide a controlsignal through the OR device 120 to turn on the Memory device 122. Theoutput signal from the Memory device 122 energizes the lowlevel valve 38to open the latter valve. As the fluid level within the fluid containercontinues to rise there is no further response by the control apparatus26 until the soft-iron core member reaches a position adjacent theindicator coil 104. At this point, the solenoid valve 34 for the thirdpump 18 is open to bypass the output fluid from the third pump 18 whenthe soft-iron core member passes a position adjacent the indicator coil102, the solenoid valve 32 is opened to bypass the output fluid from thesecond pump 16 and when the soft-iron core member stops in a positionadjacent the indicator coil 100, the solenoid valve 24 opens to bypassthe output fluid from the first pump 14. In addition, when the softironcore member is in a position adjacent the indicator coil 100, the outputsignal from the indicator coil 106 is elfective to turn off the Memorydevice 132 which provides an output control signal to the OFF input ofthe Memory device 134 to deenergize the solenoid valve 24 as previouslyexplained and, in addition, the output OFF control signal from theMemory device 132 is applied to the OFF control input of the Memorydevices 154 and 158 as a safety measure to make sure that the solenoidvalves 32 and 34 for respectively the second pump 16 and the first pump14 have opened.

It should be noted that due to the retentive elements associated withthe Memory devices 134, 154, 158, 122 and 170 that these are permanentMemory units and in the event of a power failure or some otherinterference with the operation of the control apparatus 26 uponresumption of the power or normal operation, these latter Memory unitswill resume the same state as existed when the power failed or theinterference occurred.

Relative to the bridge circuit including the indicator coils, the bridgecircuit is normally in an unbalanced state and provides an output signalin the order of volts. However, when the soft-iron slug. is brought intoa position adjacent the indicator coil, the inductance of this coilchanges and since the indicator coil comprises one leg of the bridge,the bridge now effectively becomes balanced and in this balancedcondition has no output signal.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it should be understood that the present disclosurehas been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In control apparatus for a fluid pump, said pump being operative tosupply fluid to a fluid storage member, the combination of a pumpcontrol device operatively connected to said pump and operative toprovide a first control signal to initiate the operation of said pump, afirst fluid sensing device operatively connected to said storage memberfor producing a second control signal in accordance with a firstpredetermined fluid condition relative to said storage member, a secondfluid sensing device operatively connected to said'storage member forproducing a third control signal in accordance with a secondpredetermined fluid condition relative to said storage member, with saidpump control device having an ON control input operative with said firstfluid sensing device and responsive to said second control signal forproviding said firstcontrol signal to initiate the operation of saidpump and having an OFF control input operative with said second fluidsensing device and responsive to said third control signal to terminatesaid first control signal and thereby terminate the operation of saidpump.

2. In control apparatus for at least one of a plurality of fluid pumps,said pumps being operative to su pply fluid to a fluid storage member,the combination of a pump control device operatively connected to saidone pump and operative to provide a first control signal to initiate theoperation of said one pump, a fluid sensing 'device operativelyconnected to said storage member for producing a second control signalin accordance with a first predetermined fluid condition relative tosaid storage member, a pump selector control device operative to providea third control signal for selecting which one of said plurality ofpumps is to operate, with said pump control device having a firstcontrol input operative with said fluid sensing device and responsive tosaid second control signal and a second control input operative withsaid pump selector control device and responsive to said third controlsignal and being operative such that when said first and second controlinputs are simultaneously energized said first control signal willinitiate the operation of said one pump.

3. In control apparatus for at least one of a plurality of fluid pumps,said pumps being operative to supply fluid to a fluid container member,the combination of a pump control device operatively connected to atleast said one pump and operative to provide a first control signal toinitiate the operation of at least said one pump, a first fluid sensingdevice operatively connected to said member for producing a secondcontrol signal in accordance with a first predetermined fluid conditionrelative to said member, a second fluid sensing device operativelyconnected .to said member for producing a third control signal inaccordance with a second predetermined fluid condition relative to saidmember, with said pump control device having a first control inputoperatively connected to said first fluid sensing device and responsiveto said second control signal for providing said first control signal toinitiate the operation of said one pump and having a second controlinput operatively connected to said second fluid sensing device andresponsive to said third control signal to terminate said first controlsignal and thereby terminate the operation of said one pump.

4. In control apparatus for'at least one or a plurality of fiuid pumps,said pumps being operative to supply fluid to a fluid container member,the combination of a pump control device operatively connected to atleast said one pump and operative to provide a first control signal toinitiate the operation of at least said one pump, a first fluid sensingdevice operatively connected to said member for producing a secondcontrol signal in accordance with a first predetermined fluid quantityrelative to said member, a second fluid sensing device operativelyconnected to said member for producing a third control signal inaccordance with a second predetermined fluid quantity relative to saidmember, with said pump control device having a first control inputoperative with said second fluid sensing device and responsive to saidsecond control signal for providing said first control signal toinitiate the operation of said one pump and having a second controlinput operative with said second fluid sensing device and responsive tosaid third control signal to terminate said first control signal andthereby terminate the operation of said one pump, with said secondpredetermined fluid quantity being greater than said first predeterminedfluid quantity. V

5. In control apparatus for a fluid pump, said pump being operative tosupply fluid to a fluid storage member,

' control device having a first control input operatively connected tosaid first controldevice and responsive to said second control signalfor providing said first control signal to initiate the operation ofsaid pump and having a second control input operatively connected tosaid second control device and responsive to said third control signalto terminate said first control signal and thereby terminate theoperation of said pump.

6. In control apparatus for a fluid pump, said pump being operative tosupply fluid to a fluid container member, the combination of a pumpcontrol device operatively connected to said pump and operative toprovide a first control signal to initiate the operation of said pump, afirst fluid control device operatively connected to said containermember for producing a second control signal in accordance with a firstpredetermined fluid condition relative to said container member, asecond fluid control device operatively connected to said containermember for producing a third control signal in accordance with a secondpredetermined fluid condition relative to said container member, withsaid pump control device having a first ON control input operative withsaid first control device and responsive to said second control signalfor providing said first control signal to initiate the operation ofsaid pump and having a second OFF control input operative with saidsecond control device and responsive to said third control signal toterminate said first control signal and thereby terminate the operationof said pump, with said pump control device being operative in responseto both of said second control signal and said third control signalsimultaneously to terminate said first con trol signal and therebyterminate the operation of said pump.

7. In control apparatus for a plurality of fluid pumps, with each ofsaid pumps being operative to supply fluid to a fluid container, thecombination of a first pump operation control device having first andsecond inputs and being operative to produce a first control signal whensaid first input is energized and being operative to terminate saidfirst control signal when said second -intput is energized, a firstfluid control device operatively connected to said container forproducing a second control signal upon the occurrence of a firstpredetermined fluid.

condition relative to said container, a second fluid control deviceoperatively connected to said container for pro ducing a third controlsignal upon the occurrence of a second predetermined fluid conditionrelative to said container, a pump sequence control device operative toproduce a fourth control signal to select the operative sequence of saidpumps, with said first input of the first pump operation control devicebeing operative with said first fluid control device and responsive tosaid second control signal and with said second input being operativewith said second fluid control device and responsive to said thirdcontrol signal, and a second pump operation control device having a pairof inputs and being operatively connected to initiate the operation ofone of said pumps when both of the said pair of inputs are energized,with one of the latter said pair of inputs being operative with saidfirst pump operation control device to be energized by said firstcontrol signal and the other of the latter inputs being operative withsaid pump sequence control device to be energized by said fourth controlsignal to initiate the operation of said one pump.

8. In control apparatus for a plurality of fluid pumps,

with each of said pumps being operative to supply fluid to a fluidcontainer, the combination of a first pump operation control devicehaving first and second inputs and being operative to produce a firstcontrol signal when said first input is energized and to terminate saidfirst control signal when said second input is energized, a first fluidcontrol device operatively connected to said con.- tainer for producinga second control signal upon the occurrence of a first predeterminedfluid condition,- a second fluid control device operatively connected tosaid container for producing a third control signal upon the occurrenceof a second predetermined fluid condition, a pump sequence controldevice operative to produce a fourth control signal to select theoperation of a predetermined one of said pumps, with said first inputbeing operative with said first fluid control device and responsive tosaid second control signal and said second input being operative withsaid second fluid control device and responsive to said third controlsignal, and a second pump operation control device having a pair ofinputs and beingoperatively connected to control the operation of one ofsaid pumps when both of said pair of inputs are energized, with one ofsaid pair of inputs being operative with said first pump control deviceto be energized by said first control signal and the other of the latterpair of inputs being operative with said pump sequence control device tobe energized by said fourth control signal to control the operation ofsaid one pump.

9. In control apparatus for a plurality of fluid pumps, each of saidpumps being operative to supply fluid to a fluid container, thecombination of a first pump operation control device having first andsecond control inputs and being operative to produce a first controlsignalwhen said first input is energized and to terminate said firstcontrol signal when said second input is energized, a first fluidcontrol device operatively connected to said container for producing asecond control signal upon the occurrence of a first predetermined fluidcondition, a second fluid control device operatively connected to saidcontainer for producing a third control signal upon the occurrence of asecond predetermined fluid condition, apump sequence control deviceoperative to produce a fourth control signal to select the operativesequence of said pumps, with said first input being operative with saidfirst fluid control device to be energized by said second control signaland said second input being operative with said second fluid controldevice to be energized by said third control signal, and a second pumpoperation control device having a pair of inputs and being operativelyconnected to one of said pumps to initiate the operation of said onepump when both of said pair of inputs are energized, with' one of saidpair of inputs being operativewith said first pump control device to beenergized by said first control signal and the other of the latter pairof inputs being operative with said pump sequence control device to beenergized by said fourth control signal to initiate the operation ofsaid onepump. l r i I 10. In control apparatus for a plurality of fluidpumps, with each of said pumps being operative to supply fluid to afluid container, the combination of a Memory device having first andsecond control inputs and being operative to produce a first controlsignal when said first input is energized and to terminate said firstcontrol signal when said second input is energized, a first fluidcontrol device operatively connected to said container for producing asecond control signal upon the occurrence of a first predetermined fluidcondition, a second fluid control device operatively connected to saidcontainer for producing a third control signal upon the occurrence of asecond predetermined fluid condition, a pump sequence control deviceoperative to produce a fourth control signal to select the operativesequence of said pumps, with said first input of the Memory device beingoperative with said first fluid control device to be energized by saidsecond control signal and with said second input of the Memory device171 {being =operative with said second fluid control device to beenergized by said third control signal, and an AND device having a pairof inputs and being'operatively connectedt'o initiate the ope-ration ofone of said pumps when both of said pair of inputs are energized, withone of said pairs of inputs of the AND device being operative with "saidMemory device to be energized by said first control signal and 'theother of'the latter inputs of the AND de- "vice being operative withsaid pump sequence control device to be energized by said fourth controlsignal to initiate the operation of's'aidone pump.

11. "In control apparatus for a plurality of fluid pumps, witheach ofsaid pumps being connected to supply fluid "to "a fluid container, thecombination of a first pump control device having a firstpair of controlinputs and being operative to produce a first control signal forinitiating the operation of a first of said pumps when both of saidfirst pair of inputs are energized, a second pump control device havinga second pair of control inputs and being opera'tiveto produce a secondcontrol signal for initiating the operation of a second of .said pumpswhen both of said second pair of control inputs are energized, a first"fluid control device operatively connected to said container forproducing a third control signal upon the occurrence of a firstpredetermined'fluid condition, a second fluid control device operativelyconnected to said container for producing a fourth control signal uponthe occurrence of a second predetermined condition, with one of saidfirst pair of inputs of said first pump control device being operativewith said first fluid control device and responsive to said thirdcontrol signal and with one or said second pair of inputs of the secondpump control device being operative with said second fluid controldevice and responsive to said fourth control signal, a pump sequencecontrol device operative to produce a sequence control signal to selectthe operation of a particular one of said pumps, with said pump sequencecontrol device being connected to one of said first and second pumpcontrol devices to energize with said sequence control signal the otherof said inputs of said one pump control device to allow thereby theoperation initiation of the pump controlled by said one pump controldevice.

12. In control apparatus for a plurality of fluid pumps, with-each ofsaid pumps being connected to supply fluid to a fluid container, thecombination of a first AND pump control device having a first .pair ofcontrol inputs and being operative to produce a first control signal forinitiating the operation of a first of said pumps when both of saidfirst pair of inputs are energized, a second AND pump control devicehaving a second pair of control inputs and being operative to ,produce asecond control signal for initiating the operation of a second of saidpumps when both of said second pair of control inputs are energized, afirst fluid'control device operatively connected to said container forproducing a third control signal upon the occurrence of a firstpredetermined condition, a second fluid control device operativelyconnected to said container for producing a fourth control signal uponthe occurrence of a second predetermined fluid condition, with one ofsaid first pair of inputs of said'first AND device being operative withsaid first fluid control device to be responsive to said third controlsignal and with one of said second pair of inputs of the second ANDdevice being operative with said second fluid control device to beresponsive to said fourth control signal, a pump sequence control switchoperative to produce a sequence control signal to select the operationof a particular one of said pumps, with said pump sequence controlswitch being connected to one of said first and second AND devices toenergize with said sequence control signal the other of said inputs ofsaid one AND device to allow thereby the operation initiation of thepump controlled by said one AND device. 7

13. In control apparatus for -a fluid pump, with said pump beingconnected to supply fluid to a fluid container, the combination of afirst pump control device having a first pair of control inputs andbeing operative to produce a first control signal for initiating theoperation of said pump when both of said first pair of inputs areenergized, a second pump control device having a second pair of controlinputs and being operative to produce a second control signal forinitiating the operation of said pump when both of said second pair ofcontrol inputs are energized, a first fluid control device operativelyconnected to said container for producing a third control signal uponthe occurrence of a first predetermined fluid condition, a second fluidcontrol device operatively connected to said container for producing afourth control signal upon the occurrence of a second predeterminedfluid condition, a pump sequence control device operative to produce asequence control signal and having a first position operative with saidfirst pump control device and where said sequence control signal issupplied to one of said first pair of inputs and having a secondposition operative with said second pump control device and where saidsequence control signal is supplied to one of said second pair ofinputs, with the other of said first pair of inputs being operative withsaid first fluid control device and responsive to said third controlsignal and with the other of said second pair of inputs being operativewith said second fluid control device and responsive to said fourthcontrol signal, with said pump sequence control device being operativeto energize with said sequence control signal a particular one of saidpump controldevices to allow thereby the operation initiation of thepump controlled by said one pump control device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,933,641 Schmidt Nov. 7, 1933 2,243,188 Biach May 27, 1941 2,482,496McGillivray Sept. 20, 1949

